New cycle lanes for Whakatane

New road markings and extension of cycle lanes will be carried out on several streets in the Whakatane and Ohope urban areas as part of the implementation of the Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy. Cycle lanes will be marked along the remainder of Commerce Street, Valley Road, Arawa Road and Pohutukawa Avenue in Ohope.

The Council’s Transportation Manager, Martin Taylor said this work is part of a proposed series of cycleway improvements arising from the Walking and Cycling Strategy which was adopted by the Council a couple of years ago. The new cycle lanes will provide safer road routes for the towns growing cycling community who have been asking for these improvements for sometime now.

“With the rising costs of fuel and vehicle maintenance and ownership, coupled with the positive health benefits generated from cycling more and more people are choosing cycling as their main mode of transport. The Council wants to meet this demand by improving route safety for cyclists. Marked cycleways, also remind other road users to be aware of cyclists on the road.”

Feedback during the Council’s Annual Plan consultation process continues to highlight a growing demand for improved cycle facilities throughout town and in the wider district and the works proposed this summer are some of the steps along that journey .

The cost of the proposed cycle lane development will be met within existing operational budgets.

For more information please contact the Council’s Transportation Manager, Martin Taylor on 07 306 0500.